The Cleveland Browns have been the talk of the league following the NFL draft for several reasons. The first reason is that the franchise traded back in the draft, kissing any chance of drafting two-way superstar and Heisman trophy winner Travis Hunter goodbye. This deal was the No. 2 overall pick star d-line prospect Mason Graham and extra draft capital. This was a smart move for the Browns as they got back capital lost in the Deshaun Watson trade. Watson has not panned out as the quarterback has dealt with injuries, and when healthy, did not perform well.
The Browns then later in the night drafted quarterback Dillon Gabriel in the third round over the likes of Shedeur Sanders who at the start of the night was a borderline first-round talent. The draft for the Browns went on as normal following the Gabriel selection. However, in the 5th round, they shocked the sports world. The Browns with their 5th round selection took Sanders who they passed on earlier in the draft. The NFL world was shocked for multiple reasons, the first of which being that Sanders had finally been picked after one of the biggest slides in draft history. The next being that it was the Browns who, following the Gabriel selection, had four quarterbacks on their roster, making Sanders the fifth.
There is now a big question mark behind who the Browns will potentially use as their starter in 2025 as they look to get back on track. The one sure thing that we know is that Deshaun Watson will not be ready to play for a significant portion of the season if not all of it. That leaves the two rookies and the two veterans in Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco. In theory, the Browns could carry all five quarterbacks on their roster as Watson will start the season on IR, though they will likely opt to carry three which means one of the four healthy arms would likely be cut by the end of camp.
There is truly no telling the direction that the Browns will go at the helm to start the year as each player has their upsides and downsides to them. Flacco is the oldest and most accomplished quarterback of the group as he was a star with the Ravens in his prime and since then has been a steady option for teams as a short-term starter or backup. Flacco could be cut; however, it would be good for the team to have him in the QB room as a leader who can not only mentor the rookies but also Deshaun Watson as he tries to get his career back on track.
Pickett is the next longest-tenured quarterback having spent time with the Steelers as a starter and this past season as the Eagles backup for Jalen Hurts. Pickett is the definition of mediocre as he has his moments but commits turnovers and lacks traits that stand out. The Browns traded for Pickett in the off-season, so look for him to most likely stay on the roster or be traded to another quarterback team looking for a backup or short-term starter.
Gabriel comes to the Browns from Oregon where he had a successful career for the Ducks, leading them to the college football playoffs. Gabriel, who is a lefty, could be an interesting factor in the offense as all the other arms are right; However, he has what most of these guys don’t and that is speed. He is not overly fast, yet he has that scrambling ability that Flacco and Pickett lack. He will most likely make the team, however, there is a very good chance he gets cut or put on the practice squad.
Lastly, the most interesting person in football right now, Sanders, could have any outcome. Sanders, who is praised for his ability to make plays, will have a great chance to make the roster. However, he has been knocked for character concerns and his ability to get rid of the ball. Sanders could be a star in the league, yet he could also be a bust. However, for the article, I believe that he will be the steal of the draft and a borderline franchise quarterback for the Browns following the season. Still, this could be wrong, and Sanders could fail in Cleveland and maybe even fall out of the league entirely; only time will tell. Sanders is the most interesting prospect because of who he is as a person and his ability as a player and will most likely be given a shot to start in the pre-season or maybe even the regular season.
This group of five is maybe the strangest quarterback room of all time because of the baggage that each one carries with them. Flacco is a tenured vet and hall of fame in his dog days who could retire any year. Watson has been maybe the biggest whiff in the history of the NFL when it comes to trades as he has not performed and has been in legal issues. Pickett is going to be a career journeyman after he failed to prove he could be a franchise QB in Pittsburgh; however, he is still young. Gabriel is coming off a stored tenure at Oregon and will look to make an impact at the NFL level. Sanders will look to make his legacy and prove his doubters wrong. This group is just not talented and, hopefully, someone can find some talent soon or the Browns will be tanking again for a loaded 2026 quarterback class headlined potentially by Texas’s Arch Manning.